simpleliving

Well, to be honest, I don’t truly consider myself a “minimalist” because there are a ton of expectations surrounding that word that I don’t agree with. But, I do tell people that my lifestyle has minimalist/intentional living ideas in it. Whether you’re just beginning your minimalism or you’re reevaluating your lifestyle altogether, here are 5 tips I give to people who are interested in pursuing a more simple, minimalist lifestyle.

1| It’s not all about Pinterest

Just because you see photo after photo of a perfectly white kitchen, white furniture, with very little color doesn’t mean that you aren’t a minimalist if you don’t want to replicate that in your own home. Although there are people who love white everything in their home and who a minimalist, that doesn’t mean all minimalists live in a perfectly white home. The same can be said for your wardrobe or anything else in your life. Just because it’s shown that way on Pinterest doesn’t mean it’s the only way.

2| Don’t make it overwhelming

The issue with calling yourself a minimalist is that you are immediately placed in a box where people place unnecessary expectations on you, and you feel trapped, overwhelmed and stressed. The purpose of this lifestyle is to remove stress in your life. If you decide that there are some things that are overwhelming about this lifestyle, take a step back and give yourself time. You don’t need to rush this process. You don’t need to follow through on every process just because some YouTuber told you to, which brings me to my next point.

3| THERE ARE NO RULES

I could write a novel about this because I’ll keep things short and sweet. There are no rules. There is no godly book of minimalism that gives a code to live by that you must follow or you will never be able to identify as a minimalist. You don’t need to downsize to a tiny home. You don’t need to be able to pack all your belongings in one suitcase. There are no rules with this lifestyle, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. What works for your will not work for someone else. That’s okay. That’s how it should be.

4| It can fit your lifestyle

The goal is to identify what your main goals are with wanting to pursue this lifestyle altogether. Are you looking to stop spending money unnecessarily on clothes, jewelry, shoes? Are you looking to save so you can pay off your debt? Are you looking to simple more simply because life has been stressful? Whatever your goals and intentions are: write them down and revisit them frequently to check your progress. Use that to work minimalism into your life that won’t bring any stress and will help you to achieve your goals.

5| You can stop/change

Similar to anything else in life, if there’s something you don’t like about what you’re doing with this lifestyle, you can change it or stop it completely at any time. It’s okay if you work through some decluttering and downsizing to a smaller home if that’s your goal. If you want to practice saving, and conscious shopping but you don’t want to practice other areas of minimalism—that’s great, too. The point of this journey is to find what works best of your and your life. Something might not work for you, but you shouldn’t stress over it. Find what you love, and pursue it. Find what you don’t love and get rid of it.

I hope this helped anyone who was questioning whether or not this lifestyle would work for them. Although it can be very overwhelming to think about changing your life, remember that everything is temporary. You can apply this lifestyle to fit your needs and your life to help achieve your goals. You don’t need to follow any rules except the rules you give yourself on this journey. If anyone makes you feel stressed about not being “minimalist” enough, remind them that’s your journey and you’re happy with the way you’re living.

Have you ever considered minimalism? What is holding you back from trying this lifestyle? What questions do you have for anyone who is a minimalist?

If you’re someone who has been considering living more minimally, you’ve probably heard some blatant lies and assumptions about this lifestyle like:

“I heard those people only wear neutral-colored clothes.”

“You’re going to live in a tiny home?”

“Are you only going to own 30 things?!?”

“But you can’t have makeup/jewelry/anything non-essential…”

“Well your home isn’t ‘minimal’ like *insert person here*”

“You have WAY too many clothes to be a minimalist.”

Let’s set the record straight for anyone who is confused. Minimalism isn’t, and shouldn’t be, a one-size-fits-all concept.

There, I said it.

While I love that people are jumping on the bandwagon of simplifying their lives and pursuing a more minimalist lifestyle, there are some problems that come with popularity of a trend or lifestyle in general.

Personally, I don’t feel comfortable identifying as a minimalist because people assume I live in a tiny home, only own 30 items of clothing, only have black, white or grey furniture/clothes/anything a person can own, etc. The things you see on Instagram and Pinterest when you type in “Minimalism” isn’t the only version of how a minimalist can live. There are minimalists who also live in a house. There are minimalist who have an extensive wardrobe or makeup collection. There are minimalists who don’t wear black or white.

Like all other roles in life, identifying as a minimalist can place you in a box that people unnecessarily place you in, which is not only wrong but it also gives people the wrong interpretation of what minimalism is.

Like everything else, minimalism is dependent on the person and their lifestyle.

A mother of three who identifies as a minimalist will not have the same lifestyle, or home as a 18-year-old student who identifies as a minimalist. There are no set boundaries or rules that “The Book of Minimalism” shares with its most dedicated followers. (If you couldn’t tell by my sarcasm, that book isn’t real.) But rather, it’s about understanding the key concept of minimalism and how you can appropriately apply that concept to your life. And what is that concept, you ask?

Discovering what’s essential and non-essential, and being able to focus on the essential while removing the non-essential.

If you realize that condensing your wardrobe from 400 pieces to 200 pieces is minimalist enough for you, that’s great. If you’re getting rid of your TV because you simply don’t watch it, awesome. If you’re in love with cooking, and can’t part with your cookware because you use it every day, keep it! The point of minimalism is to find what’s important to you and find what you truly love and need in your life. Minimalism is also about being able to remove all of the things you don’t love and don’t need in your life. It’s a process and a journey, but it is definitely worth it.

Minimalism is a wonderful thing. But with social media, people are under the impression that there is only one way to live a minimalist lifestyle; and I’m here calling shedding some light on that myth. Minimalism can change to fit the needs of your lifestyle and your home. The way you view minimalism can be completely different than how other person views it. It’s all still minimalism.

What does minimalism look life to you based on your life? I would love to read all the different responses based on your lifestyles, so make sure to share in the comments below!

We’ve all been there.

We set out goals for ourselves and we have been great with meal planning and sticking to our workout schedule. Then, life gets busy and slowly, but surely, your health seems to take a backseat in your life. Girl, same. I feel you. I’ve been there more times than I can count. So, how do we find the motivation to get back on track and focus on health? Keep reading below as I dish out five tips that will bring bliss (and health) to your life!

1| Remember why you started.

Why did you decide to eat healthier and workout regularly? Are you doing it simply so you feel better? Are you working toward running your first 5k? Whatever your goals may be, write them down and leave them in a place where you’ll be able to see them every single day. You’ll never have to forget why you started with a daily reminder of your goals!

2| Drop the comparison game.

You might be losing motivation with workouts and eating healthy because you are constantly trapped in the comparison game. Girl, let me start off by saying that you are not alone. But you don’t need to compare your journey to someone else. Your chapter in your health and fitness journey will look completely different to the everyone, and that’s okay. Embrace your journey!

3| It’s not about looks.

It’s completely okay if you’re trying to build muscle, lose weight, or any other goal you’re trying to set for yourself. But it’s also important to not ONLY think that working out and eating healthy is about physical results. Working out and eating healthy is also wonderful for your mental and emotional health, too! Working out will help you relieve stress and help you if you’re having a bad day. It’s important to not lose sight of this, especially when you’re in a period of feeling unmotivated.

4| Reevaluate your methods.

TBH if you’re running on a treadmill four days a week and you’re hating your life doing the same workout for months at a time—it’s time to try something new. Maybe you’re losing motivation because you’re tired of your routine, so shake things up and try something new! Or, if you haven’t been feeling your best, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. It’s important you’re taking care of yourself when you’re eating healthy and working out. Maybe these are contributing to you feeling unmotivated.

5| Get serious.

Set a plan to get back on track. Maybe you’ve had a crazy month at work and your gym sessions have fallen by the wayside. That’s okay. But now, you have to get back on track. Plan out your workouts like you would plan a doctor’s appointment—it’s mandatory. Follow through your health and fitness goals and plan accordingly if you know you’re going to have a busy week. Once you’ve been back in your routine for a few weeks, it’ll be easier to gain the momentum and keep your motivation high.

Have you ever felt unmotivated to keep up with your health and fitness goals? How did you get yourself back on track? How do you keep your motivation strong with your working out and eating healthy? Be sure to share all your tips in the comments below!

While you’re reading this, I’m off adventuring in Boston for the first time with Josh in celebration of our birthdays. Yesterday, I turned 23 (eek!) and I have to say that I’m happy with where I’m at with this age. Today, I want to share 23 things I’ve learned in 23 years with you. Make sure to share some important lessons you’ve learned over the years as well!

1| Do more of what makes you happy.

Why wait until you’re 30 to pursue your dream job? STOP WAITING. Go out and do all the things you want to do right now. I’ve realized that your passions are your calling and you should always pursue them. So go out and start doing what you love!

2| Love above all else.

Let’s be real, friends. Life is too darn short to waste it on hatred. Giving love even when you think that person may not deserve it is one of the strongest things you can do. When in doubt, let love win. Always choose love and always give love.

3| Don’t let social media fool you.

That girl took more than 40 selfies to get the right angle to post on Instagram. The lighting isn’t always perfect, and yes—everyone reuses their Starbucks cup for several Instagram photos because no one wants to spend $50 a week on coffee.

4| If you can’t get a miracle, be a miracle for someone else.

Simply remember the words.

5| Friday nights are different. And that’s okay.

Because there’s nothing better then spending a night in with good friends, some Disney songs and a lot of sushi. You don’t always need a night out to enjoy your time with people you care about.

6| Surround yourself with people who lift you up.

You deserve to be around people who love you and appreciate you. Don’t waste time on people who are negative and don’t bring anything positive to your life. You’re a product of your environment, so make sure you’re spending it with amazing people.

7| Savings are too important to ignore.

Girl, pay off your debt and start putting aside money every week and every month. You can’t pretend that savings aren’t important because they are. Set a budget, prioritize the necessities, and start saving money for your future house, travel, your business or anything else that is important to you.

8| Quality over quantity.

Now is the time to invest. Invest in one pair of high-quality shoes that you will love and use for the next 10 years. Invest in your skincare products, invest in good luggage, invest in a a good piece of jewelry you’ll wear every single day. But always remember quality over quantity.

9| You are enough.

You are enough. You are so enough it’s unbelievable how enough you are.

10| Take care of yourself.

Drink water. Get enough sleep. Keep your home clean. Make yourself healthy meals you truly enjoy. Make regular doctor’s appointments. Ask for help when you need it. Take time for yourself when you’re overwhelmed.

11| On that work/personal life “crisis.”

In the midst of what seems to be a disaster, ask yourself: will this matter in five years? The truth it, it might not even matter a year from now or a week from now. Take every “crisis” in stride and remember that this too, shall pass.

12| Minimalism matters.

Get rid of anything in your life that isn’t beautiful, useful or brings a sense of joy. You’ll be amazed what a difference this makes.

13| Forgive yourself & others.

Things happen and everyone makes mistakes. Forgive others if they have wronged you, but also remember to forgive yourself of your past mistakes, too.

14| Travel and explore.

The world is too large and beautiful to stay in one place. Spend money on adventures and traveling. Traveling is the only thing you can buy in life that will make you richer.

15| Spend time alone.

The most important relationship, and the relationship you’ll have for the longest is with yourself. Enjoy time alone and use it to learn and grow. Your future self will thank you.

16| Never stop learning.

You have a degree, but that doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Read as much as possible. Listen to podcasts. Watch documentaries. Listen when someone is speaking. Travel (See number 14). There are so many opportunities to learn in your lifetime.

17| Treat yourself.

Treat yourself to a hot bath with Lush products, or to a glass of wine, or your favorite dessert. Buy that Starbucks drink when you know you haven’t had it in months. You deserve it. Remember it’s the little things in life!

18| On working out.

Working out isn’t just about “looking” good. You should be spending time working out because it’s good for your mental, physical and emotional health. Work out because it’s a priority for your well-being. Find exercises you enjoy and do them regularly.

19| Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Don’t let that negative email from your boss or the evening traffic get to you. Life is too short to get worked up over things you can’t control. Remember this when something unexpected and frustrating comes along in your life.

20| It’s okay to not have it all figured out.

Of course, we want to be able to say we know exactly what we want and have our 5-year plan mapped out. This isn’t always realistic. It’s okay if you know where you want to be in 5 years. But if you don’t, that’s okay, too because plans change. It’s all about being able to roll with the punches.

21| Dress up. Show up. Never give up.

If you’re having a rough day, dress up and spend a little extra time getting ready so you feel good. Put on an outfit you can rock all day. It will help with your productivity and happiness throughout even the most difficult Monday. I promise.

22| Learn when to say yes and no.

Say yes to adventures, new experiences and things that will bring you the most joy. Say no when you know you’re unable to fully commit to something and when you need a break. Learn when to say these two words, and you’ll always find balance in your life.

23| Be thankful.

Be thankful for every positive and negative experience in your life because it was either a blessing or a lesson. Regardless, it was able to help you grow! Express gratitude at every opportunity.

What are some life lessons you have learned over the years? Make sure to share them in the comments below!

I don’t want anyone to think that I’m not giving props to the people who donated/tossed/sold more than 50 percent of their wardrobe. (Seriously, that is something to celebrate because it’s a HUGE achievement in your minimalism journey.) But, I think it’s equally important to know that your journey shouldn’t end with your closet and your belongings.

At first, I thought my experience with minimalism was going to begin and end with my closet. Once I began to practice minimalism in my everyday life, I realized that I craved to live a more simple life altogether. I wanted to have more time, more happiness and less stress or worries. I wanted to practice mindfulness and simplicity in a busy, hectic life.

It took awhile to learn what would be the best way to achieve my desire for a more minimalist lifestyle that went beyond my closet. Here’s how I took my minimalism journey to the next step:

1| Practice conscious shopping

Stop unnecessary shopping. We have all been in that situation where we haven’t been shopping for a few months, so we treat ourselves after spending freezes on good deals, etc. Instead of treating yourself to a jacket or makeup, treat yourself to an experience like a nice dinner, a spa day or an overnight trip with your friends. These will mean much more than a sweater you found on sale that you don’t need. Also, ask yourself if you truly need that item you’re looking to buy. If you don’t, be strong enough to walk away.

2| Practice saying no

“Ma’am, would you like a free gift with purchase today?” If you don’t need it, say no. If a friend offers an old handbag, say no. If a store is offering free, trial samples for beauty products, say no. The more you practice saying no, the easier it will become. The goal is to be ruthless of what you allow into your home. Your sample-sized beauty products are going to sit in a box and you’ll forget about them within a few weeks. If you truly don’t need it, say no.

3| Practice mindfulness

Instead of rushing with a cup of hot coffee in a travel mug to get your breakfast sandwich, wake up 20 minutes earlier to enjoy your coffee and breakfast at home. Instead of rushing your morning routine altogether, set your alarm for an hour earlier than you normally would. This way, you’ll give yourself enough time to get ready in the morning without forgetting your lunch and presentation information. Enjoy the little moments of each day. This makes a huge difference.

Although decluttering and getting rid of anything non-essential is a huge component of minimalism and practicing a minimalist lifestyle, it isn’t the only component of that lifestyle. It’s about working toward living a simple life where there is less stress and more time for happiness. That is why this lifestyle is appealing to many people.

Are you on a journey toward living a minimalist lifestyle? What has been the easiest or most difficult part of that journey? Make sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

About the Blogger

I believe it's important to find your bliss in life. You should do what makes your soul happy. I created this blog to bring a little bliss to your life with posts on beauty, fashion and life. Feel free to email me: theblissfullybrunetteblog@gmail.com